League suspends Texans left tackle for four games

IRVING – Texans left tackle Duane Brown has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances, the Texans announced Tuesday afternoon.

Brown’s suspension begins immediately, meaning he will miss Sunday’s game against the Cowboys at Reliant Stadium.

Texans GM Rick Smith called the suspension “a significant blow” to the club, which is 2-0.

“Our players have to understand that they are responsible for what goes into their bodies and that they take risks anytime they use a supplement not approved by the NFL,” Smith said in a statement.

Smith said that Texans coach Gary Kubiak wouldn’t be available for comment until Wednesday.

Kubiak is scheduled to meet with the Dallas media via conference call at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

“I am confident in our coaches and our players that we will work through this adversity and continue to play winning football,” Smith said.

Brown said in a statement that he takes “full responsibility for putting myself in this situation. I unknowingly took a supplement tainted with a banned substance and now have to deal with the consequences.”

Upon advice from legal counsel, Brown decided not to appeal the suspension.

“I understand the rules and accept my punishment,” he said. “I vow to learn from this mistake and be a better player and teammate because of it.”

The Texans website lists fifth-year pro Rashard Butler as Brown’s backup. Cowboys All-Pro outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware has one sack, two tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures through two games.